Second Half Leads not Enough in Washington
Sims earns all-classic selection
WHITWORTH, Wash. - The California Lutheran University women's basketball
team dropped a pair of contests at the NBC Camps Whit Classic hosted by
Whitworth (WA) University this past weekend. CLU fell 74-57 to Whitman (WA)
College on Friday and to host Whitworth 58-43 on Saturday.
In both contests, Cal Lutheran held second half leads including a two point
margin against Whitman and a six point advantage against the Pirates. Both
Washington state squads were undefeated before facing the Regals.
CLU led WC 34-32 score at halftime and 37-36 with 16:43 left in regulation
until Rebecca Sexton layups erased both of those margins.
Nita Sims led the Regals with 17 points and nine rebounds in only 24 minutes
of action and was one rebound shy of a double-double against the Missionaries.
Teammate Kourtney Jones added 14 and one of four CLU steals.
However CLU turnovers proved too much to overcome as 19 turnovers turned
into 26 Whitman points. In contrast, the Regals scored only five points on nine
WC miscues.
Four of five WC starters posted 10 or more points including a game-high 18
from Michelle Krall, including a 12-of-14 performance from the foul line. Sexton
added 14 points, Jenele Peterson netted 12 and Hilary White chipped in with 10.
It was a back-and-forth battle against the Pirates with Whitworth leading by
two at halftime. Trailing by four early in the second half the Regals went on a
10-1 run behind back-to-back baskets from Sims, a three by Jones and a Shana
Moore layup providing a 32-27 lead.
The Regals extended its lead to 34-28 when Whitworth responded with 12
unanswered points sparked by going 5-for-6 from the charity stripe, a
three-pointer and two layups to take its own six point lead and hold on for the
win.
Sims scored a game-high 14 points, including 10 in the second half. She
averaged 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds to earn an All-Classic Team selection.
WU's Liz Horiatis recorded 11 points and 12 rebounds. Teammate Lead Pomante
led the Pirates with 13 points and Natalie Orrell chipped in with 11.
CLU turned it over 31 times against the Pirates leading to 21 points (14 in
the second half). The Pirates earned a 19-9 advantage in offensive rebounds
while outscoring CLU 14-6 in second chance points.
Cal Lutheran (1-5) will have two weeks before resuming its schedule at home
against Lewis & Clark (OR) College on Saturday, December 20 at 4 p.m.
Box Score: WHTM 74, CLU 57 - F
Box Score: WHTW 58, CLU 43 - F
